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ULMACE.E. 



introduction only took place at that date. Evelyn also 

 mentions that those whicl form the avenues at Madrid, 

 the Escurial, Aranjuez, &c, were sent from England 

 by Philip the Second, though we can scarcely suppose 

 that the Elm was not to be found in some parts of Spain, 

 antecedent to that period ; but, probably, the English va- 

 riety was sent over, as being a tree of finer form and more 

 vigorous growth than the native kind. In England, as 

 we have already stated, if not indigenous, it has, from 

 time immemorial, been naturalized in all the southern 

 and midland districts ; north of the Trent, it becomes 

 of rarer occurrence, though it is still found growing in 

 great luxuriance and perfection at Doncaster, York, and 

 other parts of Yorkshire ; to the north of this line its 

 introduction becomes apparent, and may be traced to a 

 later and later period, the farther northwards we advance, 

 by the comparative younger age, size, and rarity of the 

 trees. In Scotland, according to Dr. Walker, the English 

 Elm was scarcely known before the union of the two 

 kingdoms ; but, from the few examples recorded of the 

 trees planted about that time, it appears to grow there 

 with as great vigour as it does in England, as some are 

 mentioned of seventy-five, ninety, and even one hundred 

 feet in height, with diameters varying from four to six 

 feet. In Ireland its introduction also appears to have 

 been of a late date, as no instances of large trees are 

 recorded, though it is now very generally dispersed through- 

 out the island. 



In point of magnitude, grandeur of form, and majestic 

 growth, the English Elm has few competitors in the list 

 of the British Sylva ; it possesses, besides, great picturesque 

 beauty, or those peculiar qualities which satisfy and delight 

 all who are accustomed to look at nature and natural ob- 



